Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio has suggested that the European Union take charge of Ukraine while the United States focuses on the Taiwan situation, after French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe to be more independent from the United States and avoid getting involved in the crisis over Taiwan. Macron also advocated for greater autonomy in Europe’s defense industry and reducing dependence on the dollar.
In response, Rubio questioned whether Macron was speaking for Europe and said that if US allies in Europe support Macron’s position and do not take sides in the US-China dispute over Taiwan, then perhaps the United States should not get involved in the war in Ukraine. Rubio recalled that the US has been spending a lot of money on a European war and said that if the entire EU decides to follow Macron’s stance on conflict and defense issues, it would save quite a bit of money in Washington.
The comment comes amid rising tension between the United States and China after Taiwan’s leader Tsai Ing-wen visited the United States and met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. China condemned the meeting and called on the United States to cut ties with Taiwan, which it considers an integral part of its territory. Most countries, including Russia, recognize Taiwan as part of China.
Rubio also noted that the EU and France have relied heavily on the United States for their own defense in recent years, recalling that when Paris decided to send troops to Africa to fight terrorism, they needed to send them on US aircraft. Rubio concluded that the US should quickly find out whether Macron speaks for France or the entire EU, as China has been very enthusiastic about his comments.